HowardSoft
TEXT SIZE:
Print Close
Use smallest TEXT SIZE setting when printing.

What's New in Tax Preparer

Applies to next year's 2008 Edition only, for tax year 2007 returns.

Click Here for 2007 Edition, for extension and amended returns for tax year 2006.
For information on our California Supplement for filing Form 540 returns, click here.

The Economy Level. This is the budget version of Tax Preparer with all the tax depth of the higher levels but without professional-looking graphic printouts of IRS forms and limited to basic forms that handle only the most common tax returns. It is designed for the individual who prepares returns only for self and family. This level includes the Tax Preparer Control Panel for easy updating on the web and easy access to on-screen HowardSoft manuals. Added for the 2008 filing season: Form 8910 for claiming credit for buying and using vehicles propelled by alternative sources, including hybrid cars.


The Standard Level. This is the version most commonly ordered. It adds features that are especially important to professionals plus additional forms for the serious investor:

  • IRS-approved graphic printouts for ALL forms included.
  • On-screen IRS forms, instructions, and publications, all easily accessible (along with all HowardSoft manuals) through the Tax Preparer Control Panel.
  • Professional e-file built-in at no additional cost, plus e-file specials for lower transmissions fees. Additional IRS forms included are Forms 8453, 8879, W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R. Also includes RAL/QIK Application through Tax Preparer (first added in the 2006 filing season), so you can easily offer Refund Authorization Loans (RALs) to your clients or have your fee deducted from their refund checks (QIK-Funds).
  • Unlimited number of returns. Not limited to a single 15-return volume, but lets you conveniently prepare as many returns as you want.
  • Volume-free Change Active Filename so you can find clients alphabetically or by SSN with worrying about the tax volume in which they reside.
  • Additional data entry options, designed for clerical personnel. Includes true-batch data entry with hash totals and pre-format data entry with reference numbers. Designed for data entry from input forms you prepare.
  • Popular forms not included at the Economy Level: additional forms for serious investors and energy-wise individuals are added to both Standard Level and Premium Level software, as shown in the following chart.

IRS forms in Standard and Premium Level ONLY

Who needs it (the most common use)

Form 1116   Foreign Tax Credit

Those who pay tax to foreign governments, including tax withheld from dividends on foreign stock.

Form 4952   Investment Interest Expense Deduction

Those who borrow money to invest, including margin accounts with stock brokers.

Form 5695   Residential Energy Credits

Those who make energy efficiency improvements to their main home and those who install alternative energy sources in their home.

Form 8910   Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit

Those who purchase vehicles propelled by certain alternative sources, including hybrids.

That may be all you need, but read on for details on what the next level can do for you.


The Premium Level advantage. Designed for the power user, the Premium Level adds to the Standard Level:

  • Twice as many IRS forms as the Economy Level, most of which can be e-filed, so that you can file virtually any Form 1040 return without any extra manual effort. (We expect to add more once we see what the IRS has in store for the 2007 filing season.)
  • Premium Level Supplement, more than 200 pages of on-screen line-by-line instructions for forms included only at the Premium Level.

IRS forms in Premium Level ONLY

Who needs it (the most common use)

Form 1310   Claim for Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer

A person claiming a refund on behalf of a deceased taxpayer (if not exempted)

Form 2120   Multiple Support Declaration

Anyone who did not pay more than half of support for all claimed dependents.

Form 2350   Application for Extension for certain taxpayers living abroad

Taxpayers who need extra time before filing their return in order to meet residence tests for the foreign earned income exclusion.

Form 2555   Foreign Earned Income

Anyone with income in a foreign country

Form 2848   Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative

Taxpayers who want to authorize someone else to represent them before the IRS.

Form 4136   Fuel Tax Credit

Farmers with gas-powered farm equipment (full refund of fuel tax paid)

Form 4137   Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income

Anyone with tip income not reported to the employer or tip income allocated by the employer on a W-2

Form 4255   Recapture of Investment Credit

Any business that sells equipment within 5 years of the credit claim

Form 4970   Tax on Accum. Distrib. of Trusts

Beneficiaries of trusts that don't distribute all their income each year

Form 4972   Tax on Lump Sum Distributions

Those who withdraw entire balance from pension and profit-sharing plans

Form 5884   Work Opportunity Credit

Employers who paid 1st-year wages to targeted groups such as veterans

Form 6198   At Risk Limitations

Anyone with losses from amounts not at risk, especially from partnerships

Form 6478   Alcohol Fuel Credit

Anyone who uses alcohol as fuel (credit for use of ethanol or methanol)

Form 6765   Credit for Increasing Research

Businesses with technological research for new products

Form 6781   Gains and Losses From Section 1256 Contracts and Straddles

Investors in futures contracts or non-equity options, plus option and commodity dealers with equity options or security contracts

Form 8271   Investor Reporting of Tax Shelter Registration Number

Anyone who invests in a registered tax shelter (whether reported loss or not)

Form 8332   Release of Claim to Exemption for Child

Anyone who claims an exemption for a child for whom they are not the custodial parent

Form 8379   Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation

Relief for spouse whose refund is reduced by spouse's federal liabilities

Form 8396   Mortgage Interest Credit

Anyone with a qualified Mortgage Credit Certificate from state/local agency

Form 8586   Low Income Housing Credit

Anyone with new residential rental buildings in low-income housing projects

Form 8594   Asset Acquisition Statement

To report transfers of assets without including goodwill in basis

Form 8611   Recapture of Low Income Housing Credit

Recapture of previously claimed credit if basis decreased or disposed of property without the proper bong or collateral

Form 8801   Credit for Prior Year Min. Tax

Anyone with prior AMT or disallowed fuel or electric vehicle credit

Form 8815   Exclusion of Interest from Series EE Bonds

Anyone who cashes in Series EE or I bonds issued after 1989 (may be totally nontaxable)

Form 8822   Change of Address

Anyone who changed their mailing address after their last Form 1040 was filed

Form 8824   Like-Kind Exchanges

Anyone who wants to defer tax on sale based on like-kind exchange rules

Form 8828   Recapture of Federal Mortgage Subsidy

Taxpayers who sold their home within 9 years of receiving a federally subsidized loan.

Form 8834   Qualified Electric Vehicle Credit

Partners or shareholders who received credit from pass-through entities for cars powered by rechargeable batteries or fuel cells that the entities placed in service before 2007 but within their 2007 fiscal year. (The credit has expired, so individuals can no longer take the credit on cars they placed in service during the tax year.)

Form 8839   Qualified Adoption Expense

Those who adopt (up to $10,000 per child for adoption fees, attorneys, etc)

Form 8846   Credit for Employer Social Security and Medicare Taxes Paid on Certain Employee Tips

Employers of those who receive tips for food or beverage service

Form 8853   Archer MSAs and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts

Anyone with any activity in Medical Savings Accounts or long-term contracts for care insurance

Form 8859   D. C. 1st-Time Homebuyer Credit

Anyone who purchased a main home for the first time in D.C.

Form 8861   Welfare-to-Work Credit

Employers who paid wages to welfare recipients (35% to 50% of wages)

Form 8862   Information to Claim Earned Income Credit After Disallowance

Anyone who wants to claim EIC but was disallowed it in the past for reasons other than math or clerical errors

Form 8885   Health Coverage Tax Credit

Trade Adjustment Assistance recipients who pay their own health insurance

Form 8889   Health Savings Accounts

To figure the deduction for contributions, the taxable part of distributions, and the 10% penalty on certain distributions


Click Here to see What's New for California, including a list of forms we're adding to our California Supplement for filing Form 540 returns.